Independent Person for Standards
We are currently looking at recruiting to the position of Independent Person for Standards.
Sheffield City Council, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and South Yorkshire Fire Authority are seeking to appoint 2 to 3 Independent Persons under the Localism Act 2011 to assist all three organisations in promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct by Councillors and Co-opted members of the Councils and by Councillors of the Town and Parish Councils.
The Independent Person’s views will be sought and taken into account by both Councils before they make a decision on an allegation that a Councillor or Co-opted member has breached the Members’ Code of Conduct. Their views may also be sought by the person whose behaviour is the subject of an allegation.
An Independent Person should have the following qualities:
- a keen interest in standards in public life
- a wish to serve the local community and uphold local democracy
- high standards of personal integrity
- the ability to be objective, independent and impartial
- sound questioning, analytical and decision-making skills
- leadership qualities, particularly in exercising sound judgment
- good interpersonal and communication skills
There are restrictions on who can apply and these are set out below and also in the application pack.
Appointments will be for a term of four years. An annual allowance of £787.04 will be payable, together with reimbursement of travel and subsistence expenses.
Independent Person: Eligibility Criteria
- A person cannot act as an Independent Person if they are:-:
a councillor, co-opted member or officer of Sheffield City Council, Barnsley Borough Council or South Yorkshire Fire Authority;
a councillor, co-opted member or officer of a Parish or Town Council
which falls within the Sheffield City Council, Barnsley Borough Council or South Yorkshire Fire Authority areas; or
*a relative or close friend of a person in (a) or (b) above.
In addition, a person may not become an Independent Person if, during the
last five years preceding the date of the appointment, they were:
a councillor, co-opted member or officer of Sheffield City Council, Barnsley Borough Council, or South Yorkshire Fire Authority; or
- a member, co-opted member or officer of a Parish or Town Council
within the Sheffield City Council, Barnsley Borough Council’s or South Yorkshire Fire Authority areas
iii. The existing Independent Persons appointed by Sheffield City Council and Barnsley Borough Council are eligible to reapply for the positions.
*A relative is defined as:
(a) The candidate’s spouse or civil partner;
(b) Any person with whom the candidate is living as if they were spouses or civil partners;
(c) The candidate’s grandparent;
(d) Any person who is a lineal descendent of the candidate’s grandparent;
(e) A parent, brother, sister or child of anyone in paragraphs (a) or (b);
(f) The spouse or civil partner of anyone within paragraphs (c), (d) or (e);
or
(g) Any person living with a person within paragraphs (c), (d) or (e) as if
they were spouse or civil partner to that person.
How to apply
If you are interested in being an Independent Person please complete the application pack attached or request a pack by contacting Sarah Hyde, Democratic Services Team Manager, Democratic Services on 0114 2734015, or email sarah.hyde@sheffield.gov.uk
The closing date has been extended to enable us to gain more interest in the role (s) and appeal to a more diverse range of candidates, so if you are interested in the role please apply asap. The roles are expected to start from September 2022.
For further information regarding the role, please contact Gillian Duckworth, Monitoring Officer/Director of Legal and Governance on 0114 2734018 or email gillian.duckworth@sheffield.gov.uk.
